Among the written characters in Japanese, “県” (けん, ken) is one of the most commonly seen. This character signifies administrative divisions within our regional communities and carries a rich history and culture. In this article, we will explore the origins, meanings, usage, readings, and examples of “県” (けん, ken) in Japanese.
Origin of 県
The kanji “県” (けん, ken) originates from the ancient Chinese script “seal script” (篆書, てんしょ, tensho). It was originally written as “縣” (けん, ken), meaning “to bind with a rope,” which evolved into its current form. In Japan, following the Meiji Restoration, the modern administrative division system of prefectures (都道府県, とどうふけん, todofuken) was established, incorporating the character “県” (けん, ken) to designate these local government units.
Meaning and Usage of 県
The kanji “県” (けん, ken) is mainly used to refer to administrative divisions within Japan, known as prefectures. Japan is composed of 47 such administrative regions, collectively referred to as “都道府県” (とどうふけん, todofuken). The character is used to indicate local municipalities and is also combined with regional names to represent the culture and characteristics of those areas.
Readings, Stroke Count, and Radical of 県
Understanding the readings and structure of the kanji “県” (けん, ken) is essential for deepening your knowledge of Japanese.
- Readings: On’yomi – ケン (けん, ken); there are no Kun’yomi readings for this character.
- Stroke count: 9 strokes
- Radical: 邑 (むらがまえ, muragame), which represents village or community.
Idioms, Proverbs, and Phrases Using 県
Here are some idioms, proverbs, and phrases that include the kanji “県” (けん, ken):
- 県庁 (けんちょう, kenchō): The main building or agency that administers a prefecture.
- 県立 (けんりつ, kenritsu): Public facilities or schools established and managed by a prefecture.
- 県境 (けんざかい, kenzakai): The boundary line between adjacent prefectures.
- 県民 (けんみん, kenmin): The residents of a prefecture.
Conclusion About 県
The kanji “県” (けん, ken) represents a fundamental concept in Japanese local administration. This single character encapsulates the identity and culture of regions, making it both a familiar and deeply meaningful symbol for the Japanese people. Through this article, you should have gained a deeper understanding of the history, culture, and usage of “県” (けん, ken).
